NSG 6020 Final Exam Review
1. Normal breast changes with menstrual cycle
Fibrocystic breast changes include a variety of histopathological variations,
... [Show More] with fibrotic
thickening often paired with the development of cysts. However, this condition is
considered benign and/or physiological rather than pathological.
The nodularity is usually associated with tenderness. The nodularity and tender- ness
are both cyclic in nature, fluctuating with the menstrual cycle. The symp- toms are
usually most severe just before menses. The size and/or number of lumps or nodules
may fluctuate during the cycle. The changes are usually bilateral. Breast discharge may
also occur cyclically before menses and is usually serous.
Breast pain—mastalgia or mastodynia—is the most common breast complaint. The
most common type of breast pain is cyclic mastalgia, which occurs in pre- menopausal
women and is associated with hormonal fluctuations. In contrast, noncyclic breast pain
is often unilateral and may be described in many ways, including sharp, burning, and
aching.
Many benign breast changes, including cysts, mastitis, trauma, abscess, duct ectasia,
and fibroadenoma, are associated with noncyclic mastalgia. Women who experience
cyclic mastalgia usually have onset as a teen or young adult.
The pain associated with hormonal fluctuation most commonly occurs during the
second half of the woman’s cycle. The variability of the signs and symptoms is
identified with a symptom calendar. The pain is typically poorly localized, bilateral,
and nonspecific. It may be accompanied by a sense of breast fullness. The examination
may identify the multiple, bilateral nodularities associated with fibroadenomas or
fibrocystic changes.
Diagnostic Studies
The breast pain diary identifies the cyclic nature of the pain and its association with the
menstrual cycle. A mammogram or ultrasound reveals no indication of malignancy or
mass other than fibroadenomas or cysts.
2. Risk factors associated with osteoporosis
Age: Post-menopausal, Gender: women, family history, small body frames, Ethnicity:
Asian and Caucasians, smoking, alcohol, hyperthyroid & hyperparathyroid, steroids,
and a history of bone fractures, low calcium & vit D, and eating disorders.
3. Findings in a peripheral vascular assessment
Dependent edema, non-painful, hyperpigmented thick skin, high risk of stasis ulcers,
thrombophlebitis, varicose veins. Pain or weakness that occurs in the calves, and
sometimes the thighs or buttocks, with exercise and dissipates at rest is most likely
related to PVD. The onset of the pain is gradual and may not even occur until some
time after exercise. The pain tends to be a constant ache that may last hours to days.
4. Signs and symptoms of heart failure, and venous thrombosis.
Heart Failure: The three most common symptoms of HF are dyspnea with exertion or
rest, orthopnea, and edema. Patients also may complain of nonproductive cough and
fatigue. Signs include ankle or pretibial edema, rapid weight gain caused by fluid
retention, bibasilar crackles, tachycardia with a gallop rhythm, and hypoxia. Left
ventricular failure is most commonly characterized by dyspnea on exertion, cough,
fatigue, orthopnea, PND, cardiac enlargement, crackles, gallop rhythm, and pulmonary
congestion. Right ventricular failure is more commonly characterized by
dependent edema, elevated venous pressure, hepatomegaly, and possibly ascites.
Although left and right failure can occur independently, they often occur together, and
left ventricular failure is the most common cause of right ventricular failure.
Venous Thrombosis: The signs and symptoms of DVT include swelling, tenderness,
and inflamma- tion of the calf and often pain with ambulation. In about 50% of the
cases, symptoms are absent and pulmonary embolism may [Show Less]